The relationship between teacher and student should be one for the welfare of a student. The children spend a major part of their life with their teachers. To have a fine classroom atmosphere, the teacher-student relationship plays a major role. A good teacher tries to understand the students at all levels. If the teacher can understand the students’ problems, she or he will take more care towards them and take the necessary steps to overcome their problems. But in this modern era, it is difficult for one to find a good relationship between teacher and student; their relationship has undergone a sea change. “Counselors say that attraction for a teacher is common and normal among the students – male or female.” (Student-teacher relationship problems, n.d., para.9).
The attitude of respect towards the teacher may change as the students go on admiring their teachers to a different level which may be awkward in a school atmosphere. Illicit relationship between teachers and students has become a usual practice. When teachers mingle with the students with love and care, they are not aware that sometimes it will make the students misunderstand their teachers. There are many cases where the unethical behaviors of teachers were quoted. One of them was the case of involvement of a teacher with an under-aged student. It was Mary Kay Letourneau who was a sixth-grade teacher. She was 21 years old and met her lover who was a 13-year-old student of herself. In this issue, she was imprisoned and now she has been released. Both of them are going to get married now. This is the case of ethical violation of a teacher-student relationship (Master’s Girl, 2006). In the present world, we can see many such examples.
According to the first amendment of the US constitution, the assembly cannot make any law regarding the foundation of religion or barring religious practices nor can they restrict the freedom of speech.
Freedom of speech is the right of every citizen of the state. It is also applicable to the students and the first amendment of the US constitution allows all the students to have the right to speak, write and freely meet others. This law is not applicable only if the expressions of the students can disrupt the school and society. The freedom of religion is also a given right to the students i.e. freedom of worship and belief is an implied right for them. The school authorities do not have any right either to push or to insult any religious practices and beliefs.
For example, in the US, Needville Independent School District (NISD) punished a five-year-old American Indian Kindergarten student conveying and practicing his religious beliefs. The school ordered him to tie his long hair in the band and to tuck it inside his school shirt, which was against his family beliefs. After this issue, the boy’s parents fought against the school authority and they won the case not only for them but also for all the Texas students in respect of their religious beliefs. (ACLU wins ruling protecting kindergartener’s religious expression, 2009).
The teacher must be responsible for every event that happens in the classroom and also must be liable to take necessary actions to find a resolution. If a student faces some difficulties, the teacher should take necessary actions to solve the difficulties and make the student confident and secure. The teacher must save the student without hurt. For instance, if the student is hurt by the bee in the classroom, the teacher must take the necessary steps to save the student from pain and fear. If the condition of the student gets worse the teacher must save the student at any cost. Most often, the first aids such as scrap off the stinger with a fingernail, wash with soap and water and implement cold packs are very effective for a student who is injured by a bee. There is a possibility of allergic reactions such as breathing or swallowing difficulty to the student, which requires emergency medical attention. It is the duty of the teacher to “encourage and model a caring attitude, promote positive Inter-personal relationships, and communicate effectively with students and others.” (Professional evaluation program for teachers (pep-T) duties of a teacher, n.d., p.2). According to this duty, the teacher is responsible to the student who is stung by a bee, to give proper first aids to protect the student from harm. If I happen to know about these duties I will surely change my attitude and will concentrate more on for caring the students at any cost.
Reference List
- ACLU wins ruling protecting kindergartener’s religious expression. (2009). American Civil Liberties Union of Texas.
- Master’s Girl. (2006). Unethical behavior among teachers and other professional. AC: Associated Content.
- Professional evaluation program for teachers (pep-T) duties of a teacher: Duty 2 creates and maintains a positive and safe learning environment. (n.d.). State of Hawaii Department of Education Division of Administrative services Personnel Service Branch. 2.
- Student- teacher relationship problems. (n.d.). Indianetzone Relationships. Web.